Researchers willing to consider alternatives to traditional science career path in academia or industry can find direct hands-on information regarding scientific entrepreneurship opportunities available in Hungary, as well as funding programmes and visa or residence permit rules to attract and retain talented researchers interested in creating their own business in the hosting country.
Along with that, also PhD candidates, early-stage researchers, experienced researchers interested in undertaking an entrepreneurial career are invited to explore this topic by browsing the Career development section in the European portal, in order to get a general overview of what scientific entrepreneurship is about, to be guided into the valorization of the research results, and to get a better understanding of an “entrepreneurial” vocabulary. EURAXESS Centres may support researchers in understanding whether their research results or invention might be ready or appropriate to get out of the lab into the market.
National Research, Development and Innovation Office (NRDI; public authority running a grant programme)
The NRDI Fundsupports several programmes targeting innovative enterprises as well as startups, such as:
HIVENTURES (funding programme)
Owned by Hungarian Development Bank Plc., HIVENTURES has 3 main sub-programs:
The Incubation (Pre-Seed) investment program supports micro-enterprises with research, development and innovation activities, where the product or service idea already exists, but the final concept development and business content is yet to discover and evolve. The investment time horizon is one year. The investment is realized through capital increase (share capital + capital surplus). The program provides a standard 9 million HUF (approx. 29 000 EUR) capital to each business, whereat we request a 9% share in the invested company in return.
The Seed investment program supports micro- small- and middle-sized enterprises that already realized the significant part of the product development, market validation, finished with market testing, however in order to reach the next level they need extra capital, which requires a business plan. The investment time horizon is two years. The investment is realized through capital increase (share capital + capital surplus), and can be completed with shareholders’ loan. The program provides a standard range of 20-150 million HUF (approx. 65 000 – 485 000 EUR) capital to each company, whereat we request a minority interest in the invested company in return.
The Growth investment program supports micro- small- and middle-sized enterprises that already finished the product development, market validation, however in order to boost their sales or enter into international markets they need extra capital. The investment time horizon is between three to six years. The investment is realized through capital increase (share capital + capital surplus), and can be completed with shareholders’ loan.
A range of supported startups (in all 3 sub-programmes) are available here.
The HVCA represents virtually every major player of the private equity and venture capital industry in Hungary and is dedicated to promoting the private equity and venture capital industry for the benefit of funds, entrepreneurs, private equity professionals and the economy as a whole.
Supported by the Hungarian Research Development and Innovation Fund, Startup Campus runs an incubation network that offers a solution to the most significant issue of local start-up ecosystems, the need for the recruitment of new start-ups. This programme is run by Enterprise Hungary Nonprofit Ltd.
Startup Hungary is an independent, entrepreneur-led organization launched to supercharge the startup community and to support the birth and development of more high growth potential tech companies in Hungary. It is founded by proven entrepreneurs and supported by key players of the startup ecosystem, who share a belief in Hungary's potential as a regional hub and want to join forces to fuel its growth.
Women/Business/Angels Association is a professional business non-profit, non-political organization supporting female participation in the innovation decision making. We work on promotion, training, network building, mentoring, cultural change, creation of a #CEEforInnovationHub by engaging change makers.
The goal of QuantumLeap is the incubation and development of innovative business ideas, startups capable of inducing significant social development. Available programmes:
• the incubation of innovative enterprises and the market entry of start-ups,
• the development of industry and the expansion of virtual manufacturing and other trends, (such as IOT, Industry 4.0),
• the development of the Hungarian investor and business angel ecosystem.
Launched in 2016, the CEU InnovationsLab is a business incubator-accelerator and much more. CEU InnovationsLab was voted Hungary's best incubator at the Central European Startup Awards, and the only university incubator nominated for Best Incubator/Accelerator in Central Europe.
Our mission is to empower science-entrepreneurs by giving them the right tools to take their innovations out of the labs and into the world: local events, startup competitions, scouting and matching. HTH is part of a global network. More info can be found here.
General visa/residence permit information is available here.
Disclaimer - This page is the result of a pilot activity, involving 5 EURAXESS members countries, developed within a specific work package of the project EURAXESS TOP IV (Grant Agreement no. 786133) aiming at supporting the EURAXESS community to have the necessary know-how and tools to develop new services oriented to a better connection between academia and industry.